Overview
- Researchers Andrea Amadei, Giulia Lin and Simone Fattorini model repeated Homo sapiens immigrations leading to near-complete Neanderthal genetic substitution within roughly 10,000–30,000 years.
- The model draws on neutral genetic drift and birth-rate estimates from modern hunter-gatherers to simulate sustained admixture.
- Findings align with genomic evidence that non-African people carry about 1–4% Neanderthal DNA and with archaeological signs of prolonged contact across Eurasia.
- The authors say admixture offers a robust explanation for the gradual disappearance of Neanderthal populations, while not excluding climate, competition or demographic decline.
- The paper, titled “A simple analytical model for Neanderthal disappearance due to genetic dilution...,” was published November 4 in Scientific Reports and is driving renewed coverage of genetic assimilation as an alternative to sudden-extinction scenarios.